Telephones - mobile cellular:0 (proposed cellular service disallowed in August 2002 islandreferendum) (2002)
Telephone system:general assessment: adequatedomestic: free local callsinternational: country code - 672; undersea coaxial cable links withAustralia, New Zealand, and Canada; satellite earth station
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 3, shortwave 0 (2005)
Radios:2,500 (1996)
Television broadcast stations:1 (local programming station plus two repeaters that bring inAustralian programs by satellite) (2005)
Televisions:1,200 (1996)
Internet country code:.nf
Internet hosts:100 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):2 (2000)
Internet users:700
Transportation Norfolk Island
Airports: 1 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Roadways: total: 80 km paved: 53 km unpaved: 27 km (2002)
Ports and terminals: none; loading jetties at Kingston and Cascade
Military Norfolk Island
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of Australia
Transnational Issues Norfolk Island
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Northern Mariana Islands
Introduction Northern Mariana Islands
Background:Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of thePacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer linkswith the US. Negotiations for territorial status began in 1972. Acovenant to establish a commonwealth in political union with the USwas approved in 1975, and came into force on 24 March 1976. A newgovernment and constitution went into effect in 1978.
Geography Northern Mariana Islands
Location:Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quartersof the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:15 12 N, 145 45 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 477 sq kmland: 477 sq kmwater: 0 sq kmnote: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Area - comparative:2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,482 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nmexclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, littleseasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainyseason July to October
Terrain:southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringingcoral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Natural resources:arable land, fish
Land use:arable land: 13.04%permanent crops: 4.35%other: 82.61% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially Augustto November)
Environment - current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development
Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
People Northern Mariana Islands
Population:82,459 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.4% (male 8,350/female 7,623)15-64 years: 79% (male 26,715/female 38,442)65 years and over: 1.6% (male 679/female 650) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 29.5 yearsmale: 31.7 yearsfemale: 28.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:2.54% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:19.43 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:2.29 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:8.26 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.06 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.1 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.7 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.05 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.77 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 6.98 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 6.92 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 7.03 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 76.09 yearsmale: 73.5 yearsfemale: 78.83 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.24 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:NA
Nationality:noun: NA (US citizens)adjective: NA
Ethnic groups:Asian 56.3%, Pacific islander 36.3%, Caucasian 1.8%, other 0.8%,mixed 4.8% (2000 census)
Religions:Christian (Roman Catholic majority, although traditional beliefsand taboos may still be found)
Languages:Philippine languages 24.4%, Chinese 23.4%, Chamorro 22.4%, English10.8%, other Pacific island languages 9.5%, other 9.6% (2000 census)
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 97%male: 97%female: 96% (1980 est.)
Government Northern Mariana Islands
Country name:conventional long form: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islandsconventional short form: Northern Mariana Islandsabbreviation: CNMIformer: Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, Mariana IslandsDistrict
Dependency status:commonwealth in political union with the US; federal funds to theCommonwealth administered by the US Department of the Interior,Office of Insular Affairs
Government type:commonwealth; self-governing with locally elected governor,lieutenant governor, and legislature
Capital:name: Saipangeographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 Etime difference: UTC+10 (15 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:none (commonwealth in political union with the US); there are nofirst-order administrative divisions as defined by the USGovernment, but there are four municipalities at the second order:Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian
Independence:none (commonwealth in political union with the US)
National holiday:Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978)
Constitution:Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islandseffective 1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4November 1986
Legal system:based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws,and taxation
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal; indigenous inhabitants are US citizensbut do not vote in US presidential elections
Executive branch:chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20January 2001); Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January2001)head of government: Governor Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January2006); Lieutenant Governor Timothy P. VILLAGOMEZ (since 9 January2006)cabinet: the cabinet consists of the heads of the 10 principaldepartments under the executive branch who are appointed by thegovernor with the advice and consent of the Senate; other membersinclude Special Assistants to the governor and office headsappointed by and reporting directly to the governorelections: under the US Consitution, residents of unincorporatedterritories, such as the Commonwealth of the Northern MarianaIslands, do not vote in elections for US president and vicepresident; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the sameticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a secondterm); election last held 5 November 2005 (next to be held November2009)election results: Benigno R. FITIAL elected governor in a four-wayrace; percent of vote - Benigno R. FITIAL (Covenant Party) 28.07%,Heinz HOFSCHNEIDER (Independent) 27.34%, Juan BABAUTA (Republican)26.6%, Froilan TENORIO (Democrat) 17.99%
Legislative branch:bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members areelected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and theHouse of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popularvote to serve two-year terms)elections: Senate - last held 5 November 2005 (next to be heldNovember 2009); House of Representatives - last held 5 November 2005(next to be held November 2007)election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats byparty - Covenant Party 3, Republican Party 3, Democratic Party 2,independent 1; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party -NA%; seats by party - Covenant Party 7, Republican Party 7,Democratic Party 2, independent 2note: the Northern Mariana Islands does not have a nonvotingdelegate in the US Congress; instead, it has an elected official or"resident representative" located in Washington, DC; seats by party- Republican Party 1 (Pedro A. TENORIO)
Judicial branch:Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court
Political parties and leaders:Covenant Party [Benigno R. FITIAL]; Democratic Party [Dr. Carlos S.CAMACHO]; Republican Party [Juan S. REYES]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:Interpol (subbureau), SPC, UPU
Flag description:blue, with a white, five-pointed star superimposed on the graysilhouette of a latte stone (a traditional foundation stone used inbuilding) in the center, surrounded by a wreath
Economy Northern Mariana Islands
Economy - overview:The economy benefits substantially from financial assistance fromthe US. The rate of funding has declined as locally generatedgovernment revenues have grown. The key tourist industry employsabout 50% of the work force and accounts for roughly one-fourth ofGDP. Japanese tourists predominate. Annual tourist entries haveexceeded one-half million in recent years, but financialdifficulties in Japan have caused a temporary slowdown. Theagricultural sector is made up of cattle ranches and small farmsproducing coconuts, breadfruit, tomatoes, and melons. Garmentproduction is by far the most important industry with the employmentof 17,500 mostly Chinese workers and sizable shipments to the USunder duty and quota exemptions.
GDP (purchasing power parity): $900 million note: GDP estimate includes US subsidy (2000 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$633.4 million (2000)
GDP - real growth rate:NA%
GDP - per capita (PPP):$12,500 (2000 est.)
GDP - composition by sector:agriculture: NA%industry: NA%services: NA%
Labor force:44,470 total indigenous labor force; 2,699 unemployed; 28,717foreign workers (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:3.9% (2001)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):-0.8% (2000)
Budget:revenues: $193 millionexpenditures: $223 million; including capital expenditures of $NA(FY01/02 est.)
Agriculture - products:coconuts, fruits, vegetables; cattle
Industries:tourism, construction, garments, handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:NA%
Electricity - production:NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:NA kWh
Electricity - exports:0 kWh
Electricity - imports:0 kWh
Exports:$NA
Exports - commodities:garments
Exports - partners:US (2004)
Imports:$214.4 million (2001)
Imports - commodities:food, construction equipment and materials, petroleum products
Imports - partners:US, Japan (2004)
Debt - external:$NA
Economic aid - recipient:extensive funding from US
Currency (code):US dollar (USD)
Currency code:USD
Exchange rates:the US dollar is used
Fiscal year:1 October - 30 September
Communications Northern Mariana Islands
Telephones - main lines in use:21,000 (2000)
Telephones - mobile cellular:20,500 (2004)
Telephone system:general assessment: NAdomestic: NAinternational: country code - 1-670; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 1, FM 6, shortwave 1 (2006)
Radios:NA
Television broadcast stations:1 (Low Power TV on Saipan; in addition, two cable services onSaipan provide varied programming from satellite networks) (2006)
Televisions:NA
Internet country code:.mp
Internet hosts:20 (2005)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2001)
Internet users:10,000 (2003)
Transportation Northern Mariana Islands
Airports:5 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways:total: 32,438 to 3,047 m: 21,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways:total: 22,438 to 3,047 m: 1under 914 m: 1 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Roadways:total: 536 km (2004)
Ports and terminals:Saipan, Tinian
Military Northern Mariana Islands
Military - note: defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues Northern Mariana Islands
Disputes - international: none
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Norway
Introduction Norway
Background:Two centuries of Viking raids into Europe tapered off following theadoption of Christianity by King Olav TRYGGVASON in 994. Conversionof the Norwegian kingdom occurred over the next several decades. In1397, Norway was absorbed into a union with Denmark that lasted morethan four centuries. In 1814, Norwegians resisted the cession oftheir country to Sweden and adopted a new constitution. Sweden theninvaded Norway but agreed to let Norway keep its constitution inreturn for accepting the union under a Swedish king. Risingnationalism throughout the 19th century led to a 1905 referendumgranting Norway independence. Although Norway remained neutral inWorld War I, it suffered heavy losses to its shipping. Norwayproclaimed its neutrality at the outset of World War II, but wasnonetheless occupied for five years by Nazi Germany (1940-45). In1949, neutrality was abandoned and Norway became a member of NATO.Discovery of oil and gas in adjacent waters in the late 1960sboosted Norway's economic fortunes. The current focus is oncontaining spending on the extensive welfare system and planning forthe time when petroleum reserves are depleted. In referenda held in1972 and 1994, Norway rejected joining the EU.
Geography Norway
Location:Northern Europe, bordering the North Sea and the North AtlanticOcean, west of Sweden
Geographic coordinates:62 00 N, 10 00 E
Map references:Europe
Area:total: 323,802 sq kmland: 307,442 sq kmwater: 16,360 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:total: 2,542 kmborder countries: Finland 727 km, Sweden 1,619 km, Russia 196 km
Coastline:25,148 km (includes mainland 2,650 km, as well as long fjords,numerous small islands, and minor indentations 22,498 km; length ofisland coastlines 58,133 km)
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 10 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate:temperate along coast, modified by North Atlantic Current; colderinterior with increased precipitation and colder summers; rainyyear-round on west coast
Terrain:glaciated; mostly high plateaus and rugged mountains broken byfertile valleys; small, scattered plains; coastline deeply indentedby fjords; arctic tundra in north
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 mhighest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m
Natural resources:petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, copper, lead, zinc, titanium,pyrites, nickel, fish, timber, hydropower
Land use: arable land: 2.7% permanent crops: 0% other: 97.3% (2005)
Irrigated land:1,270 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:rockslides, avalanches
Environment - current issues:water pollution; acid rain damaging forests and adversely affectinglakes, threatening fish stocks; air pollution from vehicle emissions
Environment - international agreements:party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, AirPollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85,Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds,Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources,Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species,Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83,Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:about two-thirds mountains; some 50,000 islands off its muchindented coastline; strategic location adjacent to sea lanes and airroutes in North Atlantic; one of most rugged and longest coastlinesin the world
People Norway
Population:4,610,820 (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 19.3% (male 455,122/female 434,009)15-64 years: 65.9% (male 1,542,439/female 1,496,745)65 years and over: 14.8% (male 288,509/female 393,996) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 38.4 yearsmale: 37.6 yearsfemale: 39.3 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:0.38% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:11.46 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:9.4 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:1.73 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.05 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.73 male(s)/femaletotal population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 3.67 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 4.03 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 3.29 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 79.54 yearsmale: 76.91 yearsfemale: 82.31 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:1.78 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:2,100 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 100 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Norwegian(s)adjective: Norwegian
Ethnic groups:Norwegian, Sami 20,000
Religions:Church of Norway 85.7%, Pentecostal 1%, Roman Catholic 1%, otherChristian 2.4%, Muslim 1.8%, other 8.1% (2004)
Languages:Bokmal Norwegian (official), Nynorsk Norwegian (official), smallSami- and Finnish-speaking minorities; note - Sami is official insix municipalities
Literacy:definition: age 15 and over can read and writetotal population: 100%male: 100%female: 100%
Government Norway
Country name:conventional long form: Kingdom of Norwayconventional short form: Norwaylocal long form: Kongeriket Norgelocal short form: Norge
Government type:constitutional monarchy
Capital:name: Oslogeographic coordinates: 59 55 N, 10 45 Etime difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends lastSunday in October
Administrative divisions:19 counties (fylker, singular - fylke); Akershus, Aust-Agder,Buskerud, Finnmark, Hedmark, Hordaland, More og Romsdal, Nordland,Nord-Trondelag, Oppland, Oslo, Ostfold, Rogaland, Sogn og Fjordane,Sor-Trondelag, Telemark, Troms, Vest-Agder, Vestfold
Dependent areas:Bouvet Island, Jan Mayen, Svalbard
Independence:7 June 1905 (Norway declared the union with Sweden dissolved); 26October 1905 (Sweden agreed to the repeal of the union)
National holiday:Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
Constitution:17 May 1814; amended many times
Legal system:mixture of customary law, civil law system, and common lawtraditions; Supreme Court renders advisory opinions to legislaturewhen asked; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations
Suffrage:18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:chief of state: King HARALD V (since 17 January 1991); HeirApparent Crown Prince HAAKON MAGNUS, son of the monarch (born 20July 1973)head of government: Prime Minister Jens STOLTENBERG (since 17October 2005)cabinet: State Council appointed by the monarch with the approval ofparliamentelections: none; the monarch is hereditary; following parliamentaryelections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of themajority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by themonarch with the approval of the parliament
Legislative branch:modified unicameral Parliament or Storting (169 seats - will be 165seats next election; members are elected by popular vote byproportional representation to serve four-year terms)elections: last held 12 September 2005 (next to be held September2009)election results: percent of vote by party - Labor Party 32.7%,Progress Party 22.1%, Conservative Party 14.1%, Socialist Left Party8.8%, Christian People's Party 6.8%, Center Party 6.5%, LiberalParty 5.9%, Red Electoral Alliance 1.2%, other 1.9%; seats by party- Labor Party 61, Progress Party 38, Conservative Party 23,Socialist Left Party 15, Christian People's Party 11, Center Party11, Liberal Party 10note: for certain purposes, the parliament divides itself into twochambers and elects one-fourth of its membership in the Lagting andthree-forths of its membership in the Odelsting
Judicial branch:Supreme Court or Hoyesterett (justices appointed by the monarch)
Political parties and leaders:Center Party [Aslaug Marie HAGA]; Christian People's Party [DagfinnHOYBRATEN]; Coastal Party [Roy WAAGE]; Conservative Party [ErnaSOLBERG]; Labor Party [Jens STOLTENBERG]; Liberal Party [LarsSPONHEIM]; Progress Party [Siv JENSEN]; Red Electoral Alliance[Torstein DAHLE]; Socialist Left Party [Kristin HALVORSEN]
Political pressure groups and leaders:NA
International organization participation:AfDB, Arctic Council, AsDB, Australia Group, BIS, CBSS, CE, CERN,EAPC, EBRD, EFTA, ESA, FAO, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM,IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM,IPU, ISO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM (guest), NATO, NC, NEA, NIB, NSG, OAS(observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Paris Club, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO,UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNMEE, UNMIS, UNRWA, UNTSO, UPU, WCO, WEU(associate), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Knut VOLLEBAEK chancery: 2720 34th Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-6000 FAX: [1] (202) 337-0870 consulate(s) general: Houston, Minneapolis, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Benson K. WHITNEY embassy: Henrik Ibsens gate 48, 0244 Oslo; note - the embassy will move to Huseby in the near future mailing address: PSC 69, Box 1000, APO AE 09707 telephone: [47] (22) 44 85 50 FAX: [47] (22) 44 33 63, 56 27 51
Flag description:red with a blue cross outlined in white that extends to the edgesof the flag; the vertical part of the cross is shifted to the hoistside in the style of the Dannebrog (Danish flag)
Economy Norway
Economy - overview:The Norwegian economy is a prosperous bastion of welfarecapitalism, featuring a combination of free market activity andgovernment intervention. The government controls key areas such asthe vital petroleum sector (through large-scale state enterprises).The country is richly endowed with natural resources - petroleum,hydropower, fish, forests, and minerals - and is highly dependent onits oil production and international oil prices, with oil and gasaccounting for one-third of exports. Only Saudi Arabia and Russiaexport more oil than Norway. Norway opted to stay out of the EUduring a referendum in November 1994; nonetheless, it contributessizably to the EU budget. The government has moved ahead withprivatization. Although Norwegian oil production peaked in 2000,natural gas production is still rising. Norwegians realize that oncetheir gas production peaks they will eventually face declining oiland gas revenues; accordingly, Norway has been saving itsoil-and-gas-boosted budget surpluses in a Government Petroleum Fund,which is invested abroad and now is valued at more than $250billion. After lackluster growth of less than 1% in 2002-03, GDPgrowth picked up to 3-4% in 2004-06. Norway's economy remainsbuoyant. Domestic economic activity is, and will continue to be, themain driver of growth, supported by high consumer confidence andstrong investment spending in the offshore oil and gas sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$207.3 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$261.7 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:3% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$47,800 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.3% industry: 41.4% services: 56.3% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 2.42 million (2006 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 4% industry: 22% services: 74% (1995)
Unemployment rate:3.5% (2006 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 4.1% highest 10%: 21.8% (1995)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:25.8 (2000)
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2.3% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):19.1% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $195.8 billionexpenditures: $133.1 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:44.8% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:barley, wheat, potatoes; pork, beef, veal, milk; fish
Industries:petroleum and gas, food processing, shipbuilding, pulp and paperproducts, metals, chemicals, timber, mining, textiles, fishing
Industrial production growth rate:1.8% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:108.9 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 0.4% hydro: 99.3% nuclear: 0% other: 0.4% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:112.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:3.8 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:15.3 billion kWh (2004)
Oil - production:3.22 million bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:244,300 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:3.466 million bbl/day (2001)
Oil - imports:88,870 bbl/day (2001)
Oil - proved reserves:9.859 billion bbl (1 January 2002)
Natural gas - production:83.49 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:8.09 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:75.4 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:2.085 trillion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$63.33 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$122.6 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum and petroleum products, machinery and equipment, metals,chemicals, ships, fish
Exports - partners:UK 25.5%, Germany 12.6%, Netherlands 9.9%, France 9.1%, US 6.7%,Sweden 6.5% (2005)
Imports:$59.9 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and equipment, chemicals, metals, foodstuffs
Imports - partners:Sweden 14.6%, Germany 13.6%, Denmark 7.3%, UK 6.8%, China 5.5%, US5%, France 4% (2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$49.62 billion (August 2006 est.)
Debt - external:$350.3 billion; note - Norway is a net external creditor (30 June2006)
Economic aid - donor:ODA, $1.4 billion (1998)
Currency (code):Norwegian krone (NOK)
Currency code:NOK
Exchange rates:Norwegian kroner per US dollar - 6.41332 (2006), 6.4425 (2005),6.7408 (2004), 7.0802 (2003), 7.9838 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Norway
Telephones - main lines in use:2.129 million (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:4.755 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern in all respects; one of the mostadvanced telecommunications networks in Europedomestic: Norway has a domestic satellite system; moreover, theprevalence of rural areas encourages the wide use of cellular mobilesystems instead of fixed-wire systemsinternational: country code - 47; 2 buried coaxial cable systems; 4coaxial submarine cables; satellite earth stations - NA Eutelsat, NAIntelsat (Atlantic Ocean), and 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic and Indian Oceanregions); note - Norway shares the Inmarsat earth station with theother Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, and Sweden) (1999)
Radio broadcast stations:AM 5, FM at least 650, shortwave 1 (1998)
Radios:4.03 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:360 (plus 2,729 repeaters) (1995)
Televisions:2.03 million (1997)
Internet country code:.no
Internet hosts:1,364,448 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):13 (2000)
Internet users:3.14 million (2005)
Transportation Norway
Airports: 99 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 67 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 12 1,524 to 2,437 m: 12 914 to 1,523 m: 13 under 914 m: 29 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 32 914 to 1,523 m: 6 under 914 m: 26 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Pipelines:condensate 508 km; gas 5,910 km; oil 2,557 km; oil/gas/water 746 km(2006)
Railways:total: 4,077 kmstandard gauge: 4,077 km 1.435-m gauge (2,680 km electrified) (2005)
Roadways:total: 92,513 kmpaved: 71,832 km (including 664 km of expressways)unpaved: 20,681 km (2005)
Waterways:1,577 km (2002)
Merchant marine:total: 724 ships (1000 GRT or over) 14,472,103 GRT/20,245,353 DWTby type: bulk carrier 67, cargo 153, chemical tanker 150, container2, liquefied gas 79, passenger/cargo 121, petroleum tanker 75,refrigerated cargo 9, roll on/roll off 19, specialized tanker 2,vehicle carrier 47foreign-owned: 168 (China 3, Cyprus 2, Denmark 32, Estonia 1,Finland 4, Greece 1, Hong Kong 55, Iceland 4, Italy 4, Japan 1,Lithuania 1, Monaco 4, Netherlands 3, Poland 2, Saudi Arabia 3,Sweden 28, UAE 1, UK 6, US 13)registered in other countries: 861 (Antigua and Barbuda 11,Australia 1, Bahamas 259, Barbados 29, Belize 2, Bermuda 5, Brazil2, Cambodia 1, Canada 1, Cayman Islands 2, China 1, Comoros 1, CookIslands 1, Cyprus 16, Denmark 3, Dominica 1, Ecuador 1, Estonia 2,Faroe Islands 4, Finland 1, France 1, French Southern and AntarcticLands 12, Gibraltar 18, Hong Kong 26, Indonesia 1, Isle of Man 27,Liberia 38, Libya 1, Malta 49, Marshall Islands 65, Mexico 1,Netherlands 7, Netherlands Antilles 5, Nigeria 1, Panama 66,Philippines 3, Portugal 4, Russia 1, Saint Vincent and theGrenadines 16, Singapore 90, Spain 7, Sweden 7, Thailand 30, Tonga1, UK 36, US 2, unknown 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Borg Havn, Bergen, Mo i Rana, Molde, Mongstad, Narvik, Oslo, Sture
Military Norway
Military branches:Norwegian Army (Haeren), Royal Norwegian Navy (Kongelige NorskeSjoeforsvaret, RNoN; includes Coastal Rangers and Coast Guard(Kystvakt)), Royal Norwegian Air Force (Kongelige NorskeLuftforsvaret, RNoAF), Home Guard (Heimevernet, HV) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for compulsory military service; 16 years of age inwartime; 17 years of age for male volunteers; 18 years of age forwomen; 16 years of age for volunteers to the Home Guard; conscriptservice obligation - 12 months (2004)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 1,014,592females age 18-49: 982,734 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 827,016females age 18-49: 801,358 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 29,179females age 18-49: 28,023 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$4,033.5 million (2003)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:1.9% (2003)
Transnational Issues Norway
Disputes - international:Norway asserts a territorial claim in Antarctica (Queen Maud Landand its continental shelf); despite dialogue, Russia and Norwaycontinue to dispute their maritime limits in the Barents Sea andRussia's fishing rights beyond Svalbard's territorial limits withinthe Svalbard Treaty zone
This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007
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@Oman
Introduction Oman
Background:The inhabitants of the area of Oman have long prospered on IndianOcean trade. In the late 18th century, a newly established sultanatein Muscat signed the first in a series of friendship treaties withBritain. Over time, Oman's dependence on British political andmilitary advisors increased, but it never became a British colony.In 1970, QABOOS bin Said al-Said overthrew the restrictive rule ofhis father; he has ruled as sultan ever since. His extensivemodernization program has opened the country to the outside worldwhile preserving the longstanding close ties with the UK. Oman'smoderate, independent foreign policy has sought to maintain goodrelations with all Middle Eastern countries.
Geography Oman
Location:Middle East, bordering the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Oman, and PersianGulf, between Yemen and UAE
Geographic coordinates:21 00 N, 57 00 E
Map references:Middle East
Area:total: 212,460 sq kmland: 212,460 sq kmwater: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:slightly smaller than Kansas
Land boundaries: total: 1,374 km border countries: Saudi Arabia 676 km, UAE 410 km, Yemen 288 km
Coastline: 2,092 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:dry desert; hot, humid along coast; hot, dry interior; strongsouthwest summer monsoon (May to September) in far south
Terrain:central desert plain, rugged mountains in north and south
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Arabian Sea 0 mhighest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m
Natural resources:petroleum, copper, asbestos, some marble, limestone, chromium,gypsum, natural gas
Land use: arable land: 0.12% permanent crops: 0.14% other: 99.74% (2005)
Irrigated land:720 sq km (2003)
Natural hazards:summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms ininterior; periodic droughts
Environment - current issues:rising soil salinity; beach pollution from oil spills; very limitednatural fresh water resources
Environment - international agreements:party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-KyotoProtocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, MarineDumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whalingsigned, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:strategic location on Musandam Peninsula adjacent to Strait ofHormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil
People Oman
Population: 3,102,229 note: includes 577,293 non-nationals (July 2006 est.)
Age structure:0-14 years: 42.7% (male 675,423/female 648,963)15-64 years: 54.7% (male 1,001,917/female 695,578)65 years and over: 2.6% (male 44,300/female 36,048) (2006 est.)
Median age:total: 19 yearsmale: 21.7 yearsfemale: 16.5 years (2006 est.)
Population growth rate:3.28% (2006 est.)
Birth rate:36.24 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Death rate:3.81 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Net migration rate:0.35 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)
Sex ratio:at birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleunder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 1.44 male(s)/female65 years and over: 1.23 male(s)/femaletotal population: 1.25 male(s)/female (2006 est.)
Infant mortality rate:total: 18.89 deaths/1,000 live birthsmale: 21.65 deaths/1,000 live birthsfemale: 16 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:total population: 73.37 yearsmale: 71.14 yearsfemale: 75.72 years (2006 est.)
Total fertility rate:5.77 children born/woman (2006 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:0.1% (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:1,300 (2001 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths:less than 200 (2003 est.)
Nationality:noun: Omani(s)adjective: Omani
Ethnic groups:Arab, Baluchi, South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan,Bangladeshi), African
Religions:Ibadhi Muslim 75%, Sunni Muslim, Shi'a Muslim, Hindu
Languages:Arabic (official), English, Baluchi, Urdu, Indian dialects
Literacy: definition: NA total population: 75.8% male: 83.1% female: 67.2%
Government Oman
Country name:conventional long form: Sultanate of Omanconventional short form: Omanlocal long form: Saltanat Umanlocal short form: Umanformer: Muscat and Oman
Government type:monarchy
Capital:name: Muscatgeographic coordinates: 23 37 N, 58 35 Etime difference: UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC duringStandard Time)
Administrative divisions:5 regions (manatiq, singular - mintaqat) and 4 governorates*(muhafazat, singular - muhafazat) Ad Dakhiliyah, Al Batinah, AlBuraymi*, Al Wusta, Ash Sharqiyah, Az Zahirah, Masqat*, Musandam*,Zufar (Dhofar)*
Independence:1650 (expulsion of the Portuguese)
National holiday:Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
Constitution:none; note - on 6 November 1996, Sultan QABOOS issued a royaldecree promulgating a basic law considered by the government to be aconstitution which, among other things, clarifies the royalsuccession, provides for a prime minister, bars ministers fromholding interests in companies doing business with the government,establishes a bicameral legislature, and guarantees basic civilliberties for Omani citizens
Legal system:based on English common law and Islamic law; ultimate appeal to themonarch; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:in Oman's most recent Majlis al-Shura elections in 2003, suffragewas universal for all Omanis over age 21 except for members of themilitary and security forces; the next Majlis al-Shura elections arescheduled for 2007
Executive branch:chief of state: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Said al-Said(sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July 1972);note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head of governmenthead of government: Sultan and Prime Minister QABOOS bin Saidal-Said (sultan since 23 July 1970 and prime minister since 23 July1972); note - the monarch is both the chief of state and head ofgovernmentcabinet: Cabinet appointed by the monarchelections: none; the monarch is hereditary
Legislative branch:bicameral Majlis Oman consists of an upper chamber or Majlisal-Dawla (58 seats; members appointed by the monarch; has advisorypowers only) and a lower chamber or Majlis al-Shura (83 seats;members elected by popular vote for four-year terms; body has somelimited power to propose legislation, but otherwise has onlyadvisory powers)elections: last held 4 October 2003 (next to be held October 2007)election results: NA
Judicial branch:Supreme Courtnote: the nascent civil court system, administered by region, hasjudges who practice secular and Shari'a law
Political parties and leaders:none
Political pressure groups and leaders:none
International organization participation:ABEDA, AFESD, AMF, FAO, G-77, GCC, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt (signatory),IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, ISO, ITU,LAS, MIGA, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU,WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Hunaina bint Sultan bin Ahmadal-MUGHAIRIchancery: 2535 Belmont Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008telephone: [1] (202) 387-1980 through 1981, 1988FAX: [1] (202) 745-4933
Diplomatic representation from the US:chief of mission: Ambassador Gary A. GRAPPOembassy: Jameat A'Duwal Al Arabiya Street, Al Khuwair area, Muscatmailing address: P. O. Box 202, P.C. 115, Madinat Sultan Qaboos,Muscattelephone: [968] 24-698989FAX: [968] 24-699771
Flag description:three horizontal bands of white, red, and green of equal width witha broad, vertical, red band on the hoist side; the national emblem(a khanjar dagger in its sheath superimposed on two crossed swordsin scabbards) in white is centered near the top of the vertical band
Economy Oman
Economy - overview:Oman is a middle-income economy in the Middle East with notable oiland gas resources, a substantial trade surplus, and low inflation.Sustained high oil prices in recent years have helped build Oman'sbudget and trade surpluses and foreign reserves. Oman joined theWorld Trade Organization in November 2000 and continues toliberalize its markets. To reduce unemployment and limit dependenceon foreign labor, the government is encouraging the replacement offoreign expatriate workers with local workers. Oman actively seeksprivate foreign investors, especially in the industrial, informationtechnology, tourism, and higher education fields. Industrialdevelopment plans focus on gas resources, metal manufacturing,petrochemicals, and international transshipment ports.
GDP (purchasing power parity):$43.88 billion (2006 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):$27.23 billion (2006 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:6.5% (2006 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):$14,100 (2006 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 2.6% industry: 38.8% services: 58.7% (2006 est.)
Labor force: 920,000 (2002 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Unemployment rate:15% (2004 est.)
Population below poverty line:NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:lowest 10%: NA%highest 10%: NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices):2% (2006 est.)
Investment (gross fixed):14.2% of GDP (2006 est.)
Budget:revenues: $14.33 billionexpenditures: $12.81 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA(2006 est.)
Public debt:4.5% of GDP (2006 est.)
Agriculture - products:dates, limes, bananas, alfalfa, vegetables; camels, cattle; fish
Industries:crude oil production and refining, natural and liquefied naturalgas (LNG) production; construction, cement, copper, steel,chemicals, optic fiber
Industrial production growth rate:5.9% (2006 est.)
Electricity - production:14.33 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - production by source: fossil fuel: 100% hydro: 0% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (2001)
Electricity - consumption:13.33 billion kWh (2004)
Electricity - exports:0 kWh (2004)
Electricity - imports:0 kWh (2004)
Oil - production:769,000 bbl/day (2005 est.)
Oil - consumption:60,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)
Oil - exports:721,000 bbl/day (2004)
Oil - imports:NA bbl/day
Oil - proved reserves:4.7 billion bbl (2006 est.)
Natural gas - production:17.2 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - consumption:6.77 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - exports:10.43 billion cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - imports:0 cu m (2004 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves:829.1 billion cu m (1 January 2005 est.)
Current account balance:$7.097 billion (2006 est.)
Exports:$24.73 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Exports - commodities:petroleum, reexports, fish, metals, textiles
Exports - partners:China 21.6%, South Korea 19.3%, Japan 14.2%, Thailand 12.6%, UAE7.1%, Taiwan 4.1% (2005)
Imports:$10.29 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)
Imports - commodities:machinery and transport equipment, manufactured goods, food,livestock, lubricants
Imports - partners:UAE 22.4%, Japan 15.7%, UK 7.7%, US 6.7%, Germany 5.8%, India 4.2%(2005)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:$4.908 billion (2006 est.)
Debt - external:$4.259 billion (2006 est.)
Economic aid - recipient:$76.4 million (1995)
Currency (code):Omani rial (OMR)
Currency code:OMR
Exchange rates:Omani rials per US dollar - 0.3845 (2006), 0.3845 (2005), 0.3845(2004), 0.3845 (2003), 0.3845 (2002)
Fiscal year:calendar year
Communications Oman
Telephones - main lines in use:265,200 (2005)
Telephones - mobile cellular:1.333 million (2005)
Telephone system:general assessment: modern system consisting of open-wire,microwave, and radiotelephone communication stations; limitedcoaxial cabledomestic: open-wire, microwave, radiotelephone communications, and adomestic satellite system with 8 earth stationsinternational: country code - 968; satellite earth stations - 2Intelsat (Indian Ocean) and 1 Arabsat
Radio broadcast stations:AM 3, FM 9, shortwave 2 (1999)
Radios:1.4 million (1997)
Television broadcast stations:13 (plus 25 low-power repeaters) (1999)
Televisions:1.6 million (1997)
Internet country code:.om
Internet hosts:3,555 (2006)
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):1 (2000)
Internet users:245,000 (2005)
Transportation Oman
Airports: 137 (2006)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 6 over 3,047 m: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2006)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 131 over 3,047 m: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 7 1,524 to 2,437 m: 52 914 to 1,523 m: 35 under 914 m: 35 (2006)
Heliports:1 (2006)
Pipelines:gas 4,072 km; oil 3,405 km (2006)
Roadways:total: 34,965 kmpaved: 9,673 km (including 550 km of expressways)unpaved: 25,292 km (2001)
Merchant marine:total: 1 ship (1000 GRT or over) 10,797 GRT/5,040 DWTby type: passenger 1registered in other countries: 2 (Kazakhstan 2) (2006)
Ports and terminals:Mina' Qabus, Salalah
Military Oman
Military branches:Royal Omani Armed Forces: Royal Army of Oman, Royal Navy of Oman,Royal Air Force of Oman (Al-Quwwat al-Jawwiya al-Sultanat Oman,RAFO) (2006)
Military service age and obligation:18 years of age for voluntary military service (2001)
Manpower available for military service:males age 18-49: 719,871females age 18-49: 508,621 (2005 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:males age 18-49: 581,444females age 18-49: 435,107 (2005 est.)
Manpower reaching military service age annually:males age 18-49: 26,391females age 18-49: 25,466 (2005 est.)
Military expenditures - dollar figure:$252.99 million (2004)
Military expenditures - percent of GDP:11.4% (2003)
Transnational Issues Oman
Disputes - international:boundary agreement reportedly signed and ratified with UAE in 2003for entire border, including Oman's Musandam Peninsula and Al Madhahexclave, but details of the alignment have not been made public
Trafficking in persons:current situation: Oman is a destination country for men and womenprimarily from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and India who migratewillingly, but may subsequently become victims of trafficking whensubjected to conditions of involuntary servitude as domestic workersand laborers; there have been occasional reports that expatriatechildren engaged in camel racing may transit or reside in Omaniterritorytier rating: Tier 2 Watch List - Oman is placed on the Tier 2 WatchList because of a lack of evidence of increasing efforts to combatsevere forms of trafficking in persons in 2005